title: Calcium and vitamin D intake by postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in Spain: an observational calcium and vitamin D intake (CaVIT) study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporotic fractures are important causes of morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs. However, the risk of osteoporotic fractures can be decreased, with clinical studies supporting the use of calcium and vitamin D supplements to promote bone health. Vitamin D insufficiency is widespread, particularly among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, and this indicates that dietary intake is suboptimal, even though vitamin D supplements are widely available.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an observational study, using telephone surveys, to estimate vitamin D and calcium intake and the use of prescription osteoporosis medications in Spanish women aged ≥ 50 years with osteoporosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the study participants, mean dietary calcium intake was 1239 mg/day and generally appeared sufficient in terms of the recommended daily intake guidance documents. Participants aged ≥ 75 years had a significantly lower mean dietary calcium intake (988 mg/day), thus one-half were below the level advised by the World Health Organization. Daily calcium intake was also lower in participants who were not taking prescription medications for bone health. Dietary vitamin D intake was 167 IU/day, which is well below both the established target dose (400 IU/day) and the more recent, higher guideline recommended for postmenopausal women (800-1300 IU/day). Dietary vitamin D intake was even lower for participants aged ≥ 75 years (120 IU/day) and was not related to the use of bone health prescription medications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results support the need for greater promotion of the benefits of higher vitamin D intake in Spanish women with osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Global Outcomes Research, Merck & Company, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889, USA. tao_fan@merck.com
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nocea
authors.forename: Ankita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stokes
authors.forename: Shuvayu S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: dietary supplements; osteoporotic fractures; prescription osteoporosis medications; recommended dietary intake